BLACK LIGHT at Greenwich House

[SLT17]

Posted: 9/27/18 at 2:02pm

Caught the second preview last evening and was mesmerized by Jomama Jones! 

Had no clue this played Joe's Pub previously.  She's wonderful, the band is incredible, and a really nice mix of story-telling and entertainment.  

I took a chance on a TDF ticket and was so glad I did. 

Has anyone else gone yet? 

 

[Theatreguy45]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:54am

I went last night with a friend.  Mesmerizing 

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:22am

Going tonight. Really looking forward to it. Did the same with TDF. It is still up.

Updated On: 9/28/18 at 11:22 AM

[jawjuhh]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:09pm

Went tonight and wow, what an incredibly special evening. I'm having a hard time even describing it, but I found myself moved to tears, out of joy and also longing. What a show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:18pm

It packs a punch that you don't immediately see coming.

The audience tonight was predominately white and some were visibly uncomfortable. Something I noticed during the evening and was metioned by someome next to me after the show. But it delivers a good message. You have to hang with it though because it really isn't always clear where it is going.

I ended up at a table with people associated with the show (Thank you TDF!) and they were saying the music will be recorded. And the songs are really good. Loved the Prince inspired song.

It is done cabaret style with a few rows of seats in the rear. And the upstairs is used. The cast utilizes the entire lower space moving through the theater quite often. Her banter with the audience was quite fun and funny.

Loved the lighting. Great band and vocalists.

The takeaway was that we all really need to come together. A good evening at the theater.

[Theater3232]

Posted: 9/29/18 at 12:08am

Found a review of the prior production which describes it in greater detail:

https://newyorktheater.me/2018/02/25/black-light-review-jomama-jones-makes-it-alright/

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/29/18 at 12:31am

Yes, read that and a few other reviews. I just didn't feel the need to go into detail since those reviews are out there.

I am also not a fan of audiemce participation so I was kinda waiting for it to happen while sitting there. I actually thought about not going! (Same with James & Jamesy, which was a blast) It was fine though. It was great, actually.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/9/18 at 10:28pm

I thought it was very entertaining and I'm glad I went but I'm not sure it was totally successful. I think I wanted it to be more of something. It was in a safe middle ground. It brought up some tricky subjects (at least if that's not your personal experience or you don't engage with those kinds of progressive ideas) but it didn't fully cash them out or force the audience to confront them. I couldn't help but compare it to Hedwig. And yet I'm not sure if we should expect that same performance of transgression and confrontation and pathos and raw emotional trauma. I think Daniel is probably perfectly capable of writing that material and Jomama is perfectly capable of performing it based on that one anecdote that leads up to the explanation of the title. But I don't know if that's something the audience is owed. It felt like it was at the intersection of a lot of things... performance art, spoken word poetry/testimony, episodic memoir, cabaret, drag, disco/pop, etc. but it didn't quite hit the way I wanted it to except at certain moments. So... it was less than the sum of its parts. A collection of brilliant moments that didn't quite come together. 

I'm curious to hear if it changes in previews. I'm tempted to see it again but I kind of don't want to sit through some of those songs again. I do think it's worth seeing though.

Also, some excellent lighting and fabulous costumes. 

[Theater3232]

Posted: 10/9/18 at 11:37pm

I didn't enjoy it at all.  If you want a good drag queen show, just show up to anything at the Laurie Beechman, or see a fun drag queen show for free at any of the local gay bars on weeknights.  Rambled on and on and on, for almost 2 hours.  Talked of really wacky stuff like overthrowing the government via a coup.  If you absolutely must see it, there are dirt cheap tickets available on many web sites.  But bring earplugs since the decibel level is not just Madison Square Garden loud, it's double that, in a small off-Broadway space.  Will definitely cause hearing damage.  Don't know how the theater can keep this running when almost all seats are still unsold. Wouldn't be surprised if it closes in a week or two.

Updated On: 10/9/18 at 11:37 PM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/10/18 at 12:54am

Theater3232 said: "Talked of really wacky stuff like overthrowing the government via a coup."

I'm hazy on the specifics (it was one of those lines tossed off for like-minded members of the audience) but I recall that as being a reference to the current inhabitants of the White House. 

You're right that it's not really a drag show. Disco and frequent costume changes aside, it's not really that camp. It's more of a straightforward cabaret that meanders around politically relevant topics. It's less of a manifesto and more of a gentle exploration of questions that are probably plaguing a lot of us right now interwoven with amusing bits of personality history that could have been more purposefully chosen.